Back strip trimming machine



Aug. 6, 1968 J. H. THORP BACK STRIP TRIMMING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1965 INVENTOR I ATTORNEY James 7Zo/70 Aug. 6, 1968 J. H. THORP 3,395,597

BACK STRIP TRIMMING MACHINE Filed Dec. Q

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,395,597 BACK STRIP TRIMMING MACHINE James H. Thorp, West Hartford, Conn, assignor to The Smyth Manufacturing Company, Bloomfield, Conn., a a corporation of Connecticut Filed Dec. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 517,227 3 Claims. (Cl. 83-417) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for trimming the extending end portions of a back strip attached to a book signature has a magazine for supporting a plurality of signatures in vertically stacked relationship on an endless belt and for successively releasing signatures which are conveyed to a trimming station by the belt. Two sets of rotary knives at the trimming station are aligned with the magazine and run in constant shearing engagement to engage and shear the extending end portions of the back strips on signatures successively fed into the trimming station by the belt.

This invention relates to a machine for trimming book signatures and deals more particularly with a machine for trimming a back strip previously applied to a signature.

The general object of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforedescribed character to successively operate upon book signatures and rapidly and simultaneously trim the extending end portions of previously attached back strip on a book signature.

A further object of the invention is to provide the signature trimming machine which may be rapidly and accurately adjusted to accommodate signatures in a wide range of sizes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings forming a part thereof.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical book signature having an attached back strip including extending end portions to be trimmed.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a signature trimming machine comprising one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged plan view of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged end view of the machine of FIG. 1 looking toward the left or discharge end of the machine as it appears in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

The machine of the present invention is particularly adapted for trimming a signature indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1 and having a previously attached back strip 12 which includes extending end portions 14, 14 to be trimmed. The broad concept of the invention contemplates a machine which includes means for providing a station for simultaneously trimming both of the extending end portions of a signature back strip, means for successively 3,395,597 Patented Aug. 6, 1968 transporting signatures to the trimming station, a magazine associated with the transporting means for holding a supply of signatures to be trimmed in vertically stacked relationship, and means for successively releasing signatures from the magazine to the transporting means. The machine presently embodying the invention also includes means for successively moving trimmed signatures away from the trimming station, however, it should be understood that the latter means is not essential to the broad concept of the invention.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2 a machine embodying the invention and indicated generally at 16 is shown to include a frame 18 which comprises upright legs 20, 20, a pair of lower frame members 22, 22 and a pair of upper frame members 24, 24. Various cross members extend transversely between the frame members, two of the said cross members being shown at 26 and 28. For

supporting an electric motor 30 which provides the driving power for the machine, the frame 16 also includes a motor base 32 which extends transversely between the lower frame members 22, 22.

Various means may be employed for providing a trimming station, howver, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention two transversely spaced rotary knife sets which are indicated generally at 34, 34 perform the trimming operation. The knife sets are adapted to be prepositioned to engage the extending end portions of a signature back strip to be trimmed as the signature travels along a generally horizontal longitudinal path with its back strip extending generally transversely of the path.

Extending transversely of the frame 18 in vertically spaced relationship are a lower shaft 36 and an upper shaft 38, which carry the knife sets 34, 34. In order to provide proper bearing support for the lower shaft, the upper frame members 24, 24 are bored to receive bearings 40, 40 which journal the end portions of the lower shaft. The upper shaft 38 is similarly journalled by a pair of bearings 42, 42 carried by bearing housings 44, 44 which are secured to the upper surface of the upper frame members 24, 24.

The lower shaft is driven in a manner that will be hereinafter described, however, at this point it should be noted that a spur gear 46 secured to one end of the lower shaft 36 meshes with a similar spur gear 48 carried by the upper shaft 38. Thus, the upper and lower shafts are arranged to counterrotate at substantially equal speed.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the knife sets 34, 34 includes an upper knife 50 which is carried by the upper shaft 38 and a lower knife 52 carried by the lower shaft 36. The upper knife 50 has a relatively thin circular disc or blade portion 54 and an outwardly coaxially extending hub portions of somewhat smaller diameter. The circumferential edge of the blade portion 54 is ground to a knife edge.

The lower knife 52 has a cylindrical portion 56 and an inwardly coaxially extending hub of somewhat smaller diameter. The outwardly facing surface of the cylindrical portion of the lower knife 52 is arranged to run in overlapping engagement with the inwardly facing blade surface of the upper knife 50 so that a shearing action occurs between the inrunning peripheral edge portions of the counterrotating knives.

Each of the knife sets 34, 34 are keyed and setscrewed to their respectively associated shafts and are transversely adjustable thereon. To facilitate such an adjustment, the shafts 36 and 38 respectively include elongated axially extending key weys 58 and 60. Thus, the knife sets are adapted to be prepositioned to engage the associated end portions 14, 14 of a back strip 12 to be trimmed. As will be evident from the further description that follows,

3 the cylindrical portions 56, 56 of the lower knives 52, 52 provide horizontal support for the marginal edges of a signature as it passes through the trimming station.

Although the machine of the present invention may be employed to trim the marginal edge portions of a signature it is particularly adapted for use in trimming the extending end portions of a signature back strip. It will be evident that when the machine is set up to perform such back strip trimming operation the inrunning rotary knives will engage only the extending end portions of the back strip. Consequently, it is desirable to provide a means for feeding a signature through and away from the trimming station and it is for this purpose that at least one pair of feed rolls is associated with the trimming station. Preferably a plurality of feed rolls are employed and in the presently preferred embodiment four pairs of feed rolls are used and are indicated generally at 62, 62. Each pair of feed rolls 62 comprises a lower roll 61 and an upper roll 63, respectively carried by the shafts 36 and 38.

Each of the rolls 61 and 63 include a hub 64 upon which is mounted an enlarged generally cylindrical feed roll 66, preferably made from a resilient material such as rubber. The feed rolls in each pair are positioned between the knife sets 34, 34 and are arranged to run in mutual engagement or near engagement so as to engage a signature as it travels forwardly along a predetermined generally horizontal longitudinal path to the trimming station. The feed rolls convey the signature forwardly along a generally horizontal path through the trimming station.

Positioned adjacent the inrunning or feed side of the trimming station is an endless belt conveyor 68, FIG. 2, which provides a means for transporting a signature along a horizontal path to the trimming station. Support for the conveyor belt 68 is provided by a drive shaft 70 and an idler shaft 72 which extend transversely of the frame 16. The drive shaft 70 carries a somewhat larger coaxially aligned and axially elongated drive pulley 74 and is journalled at its end portions by a pair of bearings 76, 76 received by the upper frame members 24, 24 proximate the trimming station. The idler shaft 72 is positioned longitudinally rearwardly of the trimming station and has journalled thereon an axially elongated coaxially aligned idler pulley 78. The end portions of the idler shaft extend outwardly through horizontally aligned slots 80, 80 in the frame members 24, 24 and threadably receive tensioning screws 82, 82 which are associated with the frame 16. These screws provide a means for moving the idler shaft forwardly and rearwardly or toward and away from the drive pulley 74 to adjust the tension of the conveyor belt 68.

The machine which presently embodies the invention is preferably arranged for continuous operation; consequently the motor 30 has an output shaft 84 which normally rotates continuously. A link belt 86 drivably connects a sprocket 88 carried by the output shaft 84 with a sprocket 90 on the conveyor drive shaft 70 anda sprocket 92 carried by the lower shaft 36 as best shown in FIG. 5. It will be noted that since the sprocket 92 is somewhat smaller than the sprocket 90 the feed rolls 62, 62 are driven in the same direction but at a somewhat greater speed than the conveyor 68. Thus, it will be evident that the belt conveyor moves a signature into engagement with the feed rolls and that thereafter the linear speed of the signature increases as it is conveyed through the trimming station by the feed rolls. This speed differential causes each signature to pass through the trimming station before a successive signature is fed thereto, thereby serving to prevent feed roll jamming.

An important feature of the invention resides in the magazine which holds a supply of signatures in vertically stacked relationship with the back strips thereof extending transversely of the machine and which predetermines the signature path of travel to the trimming station. The

magazine generally comprises at least one pair of transversely spaced vertically disposed signature support members. Each of the support members has an inwardly facing longitudinally aligned and vertically extending guide surface which is adapted to engage an associated longitudinally extending edge of a signature to hold the signature in alignment with the trimming station.

The magazine may be made from various materials, but preferably the parts of the magazine that engage the signatures are made from aluminum anodized to prevent marking or discoloration of the signatures.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention each of the support members indicated generally at 93, 93 comprises two elongated generally rectangular vertically extending plates 94 and 96. Each plate includes a longitudinally aligned vertically extending guide surface indicated respectively at 98 and 100. The plates 94 and 96 are longitudinally spaced apart to enable an operator to reach therebetween when loading the magazine or adjusting the signatures stacked therein. The plates 94 and 96 are joined in assembly at their respective lower end portions by a generally rectangular base plate 102 which extends horizontally outwardly therefrom. A pair of angle brackets 104, 104 which are fastened between the plates 98 and 100 and the base plate 102 impart rigidity to the structure.

To facilitate adjustment of the magazine to accommodate signatures in a wide range of sizes, each of the support members includes an elongated adjustment arm 106 which is secured to and which extends generally horizontally outwardly from the base plate 102. The arm 106 tends normally to the guide surfaces 98 and 100.

Each of the support members 93 is secured to the frame of the machine by an angle bracket 110 which includes a horizontally outwardly extending portion which has an upwardly facing surface 112. A transversely extending guide member 114 fastened to the surface 112 is received within and generally complements a portion of the slot 108. Thus, the arm 106 is restrained by the guide member 114 for rectilinear transverse movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the machine frame. This arrangement permits the signature support members to be rapidly and accurately adjusted to receive signatures therebetween and to hold the signatures with the back strips thereof extending transversely of the machine frame without risk of misalignment. A lock screw 116 extends through the slot 108 and threadedly engages the bracket 110 to secure the associated support member 93 in the adjusted position.

In FIG. 3 the magazine is shown in an inwardly adjusted or full line position for accommodating a small signature 10, the maximum outwardly adjusted position being indicated by broken lines. It will be noted that each of the plates 96, 96 is spaced rearwardly from the trimmmg station a distance at least equal to the width or longitudinal dimension of a signature back strip 14 to be trimmed. This arrangement allows the signatures to reside in the magazine with the back strips thereof between the plates 96, 96 and the trimming station and with each of the end portions 14, 14 extending outwardly beyond its respectively associated guide surface 100.

To provide further support for the signatures, the magazine of the illustrated embodiment also includes a rear support member 118 which has a generally vertically extending plate 120 which includes a transversely disposed vertically extending signature engaging surface 122. Like the other support members, the rear support member has a generally horizontal rectangular base plate 124 which extends rearwardly therefrom. An angle bracket 126 is fastened between the base plate 124 and the plate 120 and lends structural support to the vertically extending plate.

Secured to the base plate 124 and extending horizontally rearwardly therefrom is an elongated adjustment arm 128 which has an elongated longitudinally extending slot 130.

The arm 108 is adjustably secured-to an angle bracket 132 which is carried by the rear cross member 26. The support member 118 is arranged to be rectilinearly movable in a longitudinal path forwardly and rearwardly or toward and away from the trimming station by a longitudinally extending guide member 134 which is fastened to the bracket 132 and which is received within and which complements a portion of the slot 130. Thus, the rear support member 118 is also rapidly adjustable to accommodate signatures in a wide range of sizes. A lock screw 136 associated with the bracket 132 secures the support member 118 in selected adjustment.

To provide means for successively releasing signatures from the magazine to the conveyor 68 at least one stop is located generally in the signature path between the magazine and the trimming station. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a stop or transversely extending generally rectangular plate 138 is carried by an angle bracket 140 which extends transversely between bearing housings 44, 44 and which is bolted to the upper surfaces thereof. The plate 138 includes a generally horizontal lower edge 142 under which a signature is constrained to pass in moving from the conveyor 68 to the trimming station. The latter plate also includes a transversely extending vertically disposed abutment surface 144 which forms the fourth or front side of the magazine. The lower edge 142 is normally spaced vertically relative to the upper surface of the conveyor 68 a distance approximately equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of a signature to be trimmed. Thus, as the lowermost signature in the magazine engages the conveyor 68 it is conveyed generally forwardly thereby and passes under the edge 142 and into engagement with the feed rolls and trimming knives, all of the other signatures stacked in the magazine being restrained against forward movement by engagement with the abutment surface 144. As each signature moves forwardly and completely passes under the edge 142 the next successive lower signature in the stack is gravity fed into engagement with the conveyor and the aforedescribed conveyor feeding cycle is repeated.

To facilitate rapid and accurate adjustment of the plate 138 to permit signatures of various thickness to be fed from the magazine to the trimming station, a pair of transversely spaced vertically extending gibs 146, 146 are fastened to the forward side of the plate and are received in complementary vertically extending recesses 148, 148 in the angle bracket 140 as best shown in FIG. 6. This arrangement serves to retain the plate 138 for vertical rectilinear movement relative to the angle bracket 140. A pair of locking screws 150, 150 pass through slots 151, 151 in the bracket 140 and are threadably received in the plate 138 to permit the plate to be moved relative to the bracket so that the edge 142 may be vertically adjusted generally toward and away from the conveyor 68. Accurate vertical adjustment is effected by an adjustment screw 152 associated with the plate 138 and threadably received in a nut member 154 carried by the bracket 140.

As previously noted, the machine presently embodying the invention also includes a discharge conveyor which provides a further means for moving trimmed signatures away from the trimming station.

Preferably, the discharge conveyor comprises a plurality of narrow elongated transversely spaced endless belts arranged in parallel alignment to provide a generally horizontal longitudinal path of signature travel forwardly or away from the trimming station. In the machine presently embodying the invention four such belts are provided and are indicated generally at 156, 156. Each of the belts is driven by an associated drive pulley 158, which is setscrewed to a drive shaft 160. The latter shaft extends transversely of the frame proximate the forward side of the trimming station and, like the previously described drive shafts, is journalled at its end portions by bearings 162, 162 carried by the frame members 24, 24.

Additional support for each belt 156 is provided by an associated crowned idler pulley 164 journalled at the for- Ward or discharge end of the machine. To facilitate belt tensioning, each idler pulley is individually journalled for movement generally toward and away from the drive shaft 160. A generally cylindrical shaft 166 extends transversely of and is rigidly mounted between the upper frame members 24, 24 for carrying brackets 168, 168 upon which the idler pulleys 164, 164 are mounted. Each bracket 168 extends radially outwardly from the shaft 166 and is arranged to be angularly positioned relative thereto. Each idler pulley 164 is journalled on a short shaft 170 which extends transversely outwardly from an associated bracket 168 in radially spaced relation to the shaft 160. Each bracket is provided with a locking screw 172 for securing the bracket in selected angular adjustment to insure proper belt tensioning.

A sprocket 174 carried by the shaft is drivably connected by a chain 176 to a somewhat larger sprocket 178 carried and driven by the shaft 70. The arrangement and ratio of the aforementioned sprockets is such that the discharge conveyor is driven in the same direction but at a somewhat greater linear speed than the feed rolls 62, 62. Thus, the linear speed of a signature increases as it is released from the feed rolls onto the discharge conveyor. This arrangement further serves to insure the smooth movement of successive signatures through the machine without risk of jamming.

The invention claimed is:

1. A machine for trimming a book signature having an attached back strip including extending end portions to be trimmed, said machine comprising a frame, an endless belt supported on said frame and having a horizontally disposed surface portion adapted to frictionally engage and convey a signature forwardly along a generally horizontal path, a magazine for storing a plurality of signatures in a vertical stack on said belt with the backstrips thereof extending transversely of said path and with the lowermost signature in said stack resting on said surface portion, said magazine including a stop located forwardly of said stack and in said path, and having a generally vertically disposed abutment surface extending transversely of said path, said stop being vertically spaced from said surface portion to permit a signature conveyed by said belt to pass thereunder, said magazine further including a pair of transversely spaced signatures support members, each of said members having an inwardly facing longitudinally disposed and generally vertically extending guide surface adapted to engage the associated side edges of the signatures in said stack, said support members being spaced rearwardly of said stop a distance at least equal to the longitudinal width of said backstrip to permit said signatures to reside in said magazine with the backstrips thereof between said support members and said stop and with each of said end portions extending outwardly beyond a respectively associated guide surface, and a trimming station positioned forwardly of said stop and including parallel vertically spaced and transversely extending elongated upper and lower shafts carried by said frame, said shafts being arranged for counterrotation in timed relationship with the movement of said belt, two transversely spaced upper knives carried by said upper s'haft, two lower knives carried by said lower shaft, each of said lower knives being arranged to rotate in overlapping engagement with an associated one of said upper knives to effect constant shearing action therebe tween, each upper knife and its associated lower knife being arranged in general horizontal alignment with said path and in longitudinal alignment with an associated guide surface to engage and shear an associated extending end portion of a signature in alignment with its associated side edge as the latter signature travels along said path.

2. A machine for trimming a book signature as set forth in claim 1 including an upper feed roll carried by said upper shaft between said upper knives, and a lower feed roll carried by said lower shaft between said lower knives, said feed rolls being adapted to engage opposite sides of a signature as it moves along said path into said trimming station and to advance said signature forwardly along said path and through said station.

3. A machine for' trimming a book signature as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support members are transversely adjustable relative to each other and wherein each of said shafts has an elongated axially extending keyway therein, each said knife keyed to its respectively associated shaft and being transversely adjustable relative thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS J Chamberlain et a1. 83-417 X 0 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

